The Nuclear Jihadist: The True Story of the Man Who Sold the World's Most Dangerous Secrets...and How We Could Have Stopped Him

PUBLISHER

Twelve

CITY

New York and Boston

DATE PUBLISHED

2007

ISBN

978-0-446-19957-5

This book examines the role of Abdul Qadeer Khan, a Pakistani scientist, as one of the primary contributors to what the authors call the “second nuclear age” (the first real threat of nuclear annihilation since the end of the Cold War). Although a factual narrative, the book provides a riveting tale of Khan’s evolution from a scientist seeking to protect his country to a “nuclear jihadist” providing nuclear secrets, technology, and equipment to some of the most volatile regimes in the world. The authors identify the moments at which Khan’s proliferation of nuclear weapons could have been stopped by the United States and its allies, explain why Khan was not stopped in these instances, and delineate how the failure to impede Khan’s progress has contributed to the threat of nuclear warfare. Sources include interviews, published and confidential government documents, and reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It describes Khan's dealings with Libya, North Korea (DPRK), Iraq, and Iran. While the book contains acknowledgements, brief notes on each chapter, and a detailed index, the authors refer readers to the book's website for complete endnotes and detailed references, as well as other information.